Average HDD power consumption

[lopkinfop]

Does anyone have some rough value for the average power consumtion of HDD's for both internal and external, does SATA/PATA make a difference? would a 750/1000gb be more than a 250gb

 

[rpstewart]

The manufacturers tend to have power consumption figures on their sites but in general there's only a small difference both between manufacturers and between sizes.

As a rule of thumb 15W at spinup, 8-10W while seeking & 5W idle for internals isn't too wide of the mark. Externals I'm not sure of.

 

[AbsenceJam]

Interface/capacity/internal makes practically no difference, usually less than a watt either way between models in the same range. Power consumption varies a relative amount between different ranges, form factor and spindle speed. For your normal 3.5" drive you're talking 6-10w idle, 8-15w seek and 20-35w spin up depending on make/model.
HDD power consumption should only be a consideration if you're using a good few hundred drives or more. If you're not than the saving to your bill or the environment isn't worth thinking about. That said the Samsung 5400rpm F1's that should be out here sometime this summer sound ideal for quiet computing as well as perform well from initial impressions.

 

[lopkinfop]

I have around 15 HDDs so i was wondering if i could replace 4 250gbs with 1tb and save a reasonable amount of electricity

 

[AbsenceJam]

I have around 15 HDDs so i was wondering if i could replace 4 250gbs with 1tb and save a reasonable amount of electricity

You'd be using about 2/5 of the power and as far as cost of electricity is concerned it would be a small saving, however the 1TB will be far faster, more convenient and most likely quieter (Samsung or WD GP).